The Ultimate Guide To Seeing Movies Over Thanksgiving Weekend 2014

As you prepare to enter a well-deserved food coma this Thanksgiving, it’s important to have a game plan for entertaining the different groups of people who will be forcing you to sleep on the couch. From your children to those pesky in-laws and even reunited siblings, we have the perfect solution to your, “How am I going to deal with these people?!” crisis: Movies.

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It seems obvious, but people tend to forget movie theaters are open on holidays. So, when you can’t deal with Uncle David complaining about his neighbor or your brother pestering you about visiting more, take them to one of the many films out this month, and enjoy some silent bonding (the best type of bonding in our humble opinion).

Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis are back for some high-stakes and, yes, illegal fun. This is the perfect movie to let out any aggression you’re feeling toward freakin’ Jan who won’t stop criticizing your new job. In theaters Nov. 26.

You just wrapped up dinner, and the gang is looking for something fun to do: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1

In search for the perfect nightcap even the under 21s will enjoy? Simple: Watch Jennifer Lawrence slay as Panem’s queen/savior. You’ll leave the theater so inspired it will motivate you to make room for pumpkin pie at dessert. Haven’t seen the first two Hunger Games films? No problem. We 99 percent guarantee someone in your camp is obsessed with this franchise and can fill you in. In theaters now.

You don’t want them to spoil their dinner, so take them to a movie that will keep them so enticed they won’t even remember what Kit Kats are. And let’s be real: Watching adorable penguins talk and be mischievous is not just fun for the young ones. In theaters Nov. 26.

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You and your significant other need a break from entertaining: The Babadook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szaLnKNWC-U
This supernatural horror movie is a perfect Thanksgiving date for two reasons. First, it clocks in at just over 90 minutes, so Aunt Betty won’t be blowing up your phone wondering where you are. Second, the cover-your-eyes chills will remind you both that there are greater horrors in the world than your cousin’s taste in fashion. In theaters Nov. 28 (limited).

You’re spending Thanksgiving alone (or, frankly, you need to escape the circus that is your house): The Imitation Game

[Photo: The Weinstein Company]

Solidarity is the perfect time to get cerebral, and that’s where The Imitation Game comes in. The film, about British mathematician Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), is chock-filled with enough twists, turns and history to make you forget all about this stressful holiday. This one’s a must-see. In theaters Nov. 28.

The first (probably pointless) family fight just went down, and you need some space: Birdman

[Photo: Fox Searchlight]

Yep, she did it. Your cousin Jessica put celery in the stuffing when you told her not to and now everyone in your group is throwing shade. You need to get away from this madness, so we suggest checking out Birdman. The black comedy about a washed-up comic book character actor attempting to find himself again is just weird (and good) enough to do the trick. Oh, and it has an all-star cast. (Michael Keaton, Edward Norton and Emma Stone. Oh my!) In theaters now.

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Your siblings want to recreate the good ’ole days: V/H/S: Viral
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T0ZifLnAYc
Admit it: You and your better half used to spend summer vacations staying up until 3 AM clutching each other for dear life as you watched slasher films you were clearly too young to see. Good news: The third installment of the V/H/S series is here for your screaming pleasure. Get ready for the fears. In theaters now.

You’re only home for four days (if that), and your parents want to pull you away for a little bonding. We suggest Reach Me, a comedic action crime romantic dramedy (really) starring Sylvester Stallone. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll question how Stallone still looks that good. It’ll be just like childhood. In theaters now.

It’s time for a guys night out: Foxcatcher

[Photo: Sony Pictures Classic]

The uncles, dads, and brothers want to see a movie, but don’t know what to pick. We recommend Foxcatcher, a true crime drama about schizophrenic wrestling coach John du Pont (Steve Carell) who murdered Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo), the brother of Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum). It has enough drama, action, and teeth to satisfy any post-football crowd. In theaters now.

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Everyone is watching football, but you would rather stick needles in your eyes: Before I Disappear

This simple drama is practically the antithesis to the NFL, so we highly encourage it as a way to escape any pigskin pandemonium. In theaters Nov. 28 (limited).

You need a pick-me-up after your team loses: The Theory of Everything

[Photo: Focus Features]

The Cowboys lost, and now you’re upset and eating leftover apple pie even though you’re not hungry. Put the fork down, and head out to The Theory of Everything. The romantic drama tells the inspiring true story of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking through the eyes of his ex-wife Jane. While, yes, you’ll cry along the way, the ending is so inspirational that a football loss will seem silly in comparison. In theaters now.

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You say to yourself, “I have time off and I really need to catch up on movies:” Interstellar

[Photo: Paramount Pictures]

If you can only check out one film over this (brief) holiday, we wholeheartedly recommend Interstellar. The space odyssey drama starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway (they play co-astronauts who travel to a black hole they believe was put there by other life) is unlike anything you’ll see at the cinema. The special effects! The sound! The emotionally heart-wrenching performances! It’s the only flick on our list that will almost literally take you to another place. And, after all, isn’t that what movies are for?